Veterans Day

It's Veterans Day – a day we honor people who served the United States in the military. It’s kind of a day of thanksgiving if you’re a newshound.

Without the stand-up actions of these people, journalists wouldn’t be able to freely report and write, whether we’re broadcast, print or internet media. Heck, and normal citizens would probably have to buy a license to shoot off their mouths.

There’ll be parades around the country and flyovers with that missing man formation and if you’ve got a dry eye when you see that, then you’re either out of tears or out of soul.

We’ll get back to veterans shortly. Now, our daily report:

FLAT OUT HUSKY: Well, who knows that this dog is dreaming of, but you can bet, based on the look on the face, that it’s a relaxing topic.

We get the story on this dog from our rescue pal Diana Phillips (her hubby Ron is the guy who kept a man from throwing a load of puppies into the Trinity River last year, as some of you may recall).

Diana is trying to help a co-worker find a home for this dog whose name is currently Se-Ath.

The co-worker adopted the girl from the SPCA of Texas in June and, says Diana, “now says she does not have the time to spend with her and does not like the hair in the house! ...  The dog is almost two, spayed, current on shots and HW prevention."

The pup is house- and crate-trained and has a home until Nov. 26 when the co-worker leaves for the Philippines on a mission trip. So, there's a little pressure to find a home by Thanksgiving.

To offer a place for the dog e-mail Diana at phillips0719@gmail.com or call 214-686-0832.

THE GANG: At the Little Elm Animal Shelter just north of Dallas, they call this batch of kittens “Our Gang.” They look like they’re posing for a class photo. What they have in common is they have never been out on the streets. They were born in the shelter on Sept. 13. And they are among many cats and many dogs who are needing homes and are on the clock at the shelter.

Little Elm has this HUGE adoption fee – ten bucks. Yep. For $10 you can adopt an animal – dog or cat – at the Little Elm shelter. E-mail cmedrano@littleelm.org to ask about any of the animals there. The shelter is at 1104 W. Eldorado Parkway, Suite 103, in Little Elm. To see photos of the animals, clickHERE.

PUPPY MILLS IN TEXAS: The Texas Humane Legislation Network, which lobbies legislators on animal matters, is gearing up for a puppy mill battle in the next session. See the details at www.thln.org. It’ll take money and voices to stamp out puppy mills in Texas.

A BOXER NOTE: We got a copy of the most recent newsletter from Legacy Boxer Rescue. In it LBR President Sharon Sleighter says that the organization has saved about 280 boxers this year and spent $110,951.13 on veterinary care for the dogs while bringing in only $53,587 in adoption fees.  Sharon introduced these facts to demonstrate how appreciative the non-profit is for the “continued support” from people who love boxers and people who love helping people who are doing good deeds. Cash helps -- blunt but accurate.

HIGHLAND PARK DOGWALK: Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network sends word that dogs from CAN will be available for adoption during Saturdays’ second annual Highland Park Dog Walk in Highland Park Shopping Village. There’ll be many rescue groups and lots of pet-related activities and interests.

Click on www.hpvillage.com and look at the events.

NEEDING SOME FENCE: Tina Hamilton of Happy Tails of Gun Barrel City says the rescue group “is in desperate need of a panel chain link dog run for quarantine.”  The run would “keep sick dogs separate from others until they are well,” she says, then cautions that if there’s no way to quarantine the dogs, “they will have to be put to sleep when they could have been saved.”

This is both an urgent and a continuing need, Tina says. To offer to help, e-mail txtina1201@yahoo.com or call 903-880-4124 or 903-275-5990.

A DAY IN CORSICANA: Now, we all know that Corsicana is the home of the legendary year-round but beloved seasonal fruitcake from the Collin Street Bakery, but it is also home to a thing called “Day In November Adoption Event.” It’s sponsored by the Corsicana Animal Shelter and the Humane Society of Navarro County and it runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at College Park Mall. This adoption event is part of an overall Day In November festival with arts and crafts and other attractions.

These two pups are Bear (right) and Max, a couple of Chihuahua-terrier siblings who were owner-surrenders to the Corsicana shelter and they are among the many animals available for adoption  -- they’ll be ready for the Day in November on Saturday if someone doesn’t go to the shelter and get them before you can.

See the Corsicana animals HERE.

CONTEMPLATION: I’m the son of a World War II infantryman, grew up in the Vietnam era and I’ve watched people in assorted branches of the service go off to duty my entire life. And as a reporter I spent a lot of ink on some folks who seem to always get slighted, our Korean War veterans.

Maybe that’s why, yesterday as I listened to President Obama’s speech at the Fort Hood memorial service, I noticed a glaring omission. You can read the text HERE  so you’ll see the accuracy of my reporting.

And, with the current testy diplomatic situation with North Korea, I wondered if the omission was intentional. Here’s what the President said: “Tomorrow is Veterans Day.  It's a chance to pause, and to pay tribute -- for students to learn the struggles that preceded them; for families to honor the service of parents and grandparents; for citizens to reflect upon the sacrifices that have been made in pursuit of a more perfect union.

“For history is filled with heroes.  You may remember the stories of a grandfather who marched across Europe; an uncle who fought in Vietnam; a sister who served in the Gulf.  But as we honor the many generations who have served, all of us -- every single American -- must acknowledge that this generation has more than proved itself the equal of those who've come before.”

So, today, embrace them all and honor them. You want to read about how tough war can be – war anywhere, David Wood has a touching look on Politics Daily HERE, It's set against the backdrop of the haunting Korean War Memorial in Washington.

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